Joshua 13: Seven Lessons on Choosing a Spiritual Inheritance in God over the World

Introduction: This chapter marks a transition in the book of Joshua between the Jews’ battles and the division of the captured lands. The chapter begins with a reminder of the work that remained for the Jews in clearing out the Promised Land. It then describes the inheritance of two kinds of peoples. This included those who decided to make God their inheritance (the Levites) and those who elected to have an inheritance in the world outside the Promised Land (the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of the tribe of Manasseh). The remaining chapters in this section of the book then describe the inheritance of the other tribes within the Promised Land. These chapters contain references to ancient cities, many of which may mean nothing to a modern reader. The temptation for some is to skip these chapters. Yet, God is clear that all Scripture is not only inspired, but also “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;” (2 Tim. 3:16(b)). In every verse, there is something that He is trying to teach us, even if the meaning is not immediately clear: “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, . . .” (Ro. 15:4). Thus, “[w]e are not to pass over these chapters of hard names as useless. Where God has a mouth to speak, and a hand to write, we should find an ear to hear, and an eye to read; and may God give us a heart to profit!” (Matthew Henry on Joshua 13). Here, He reveals seven lessons on choosing an inheritance in Him over the world.

First, from His command to Joshua not to delay in his old age in doing the work of God by dividing up the occupied lands, He reveals that there is always work to be done for His Kingdom. Second, from the list of five Canaanite and Philistine nations that remained to be conquered (a number symbolizing His grace), He showed His grace in offering to give these lands to the Jews if only they had the faith and obedience to drive out these peoples. Yet, the Jews were not obedient in driving out these peoples. The five nations in turn grew in size and later challenged the Jews for control over Israel. These peoples symbolized the flesh of every believer. From this, He warns that you must not make accommodations for their flesh or your flesh will be a thorn in your walk with Him. Third, from His list of the lands to be distributed outside the Promised Land, He reveals that if you choose the world over Him, you may forgo some of His blessings. Fourth, from the inheritance of the tribe of Levi, which received a relationship with God over a land inheritance, He reveals that you are to live in the world but not of the world. Fifth, from the squandered inheritance of Reuben (which could have been the pre-emanate tribe), He reveals that you should not be double minded between the things of the Spirit and the things of the flesh. Sixth, from Gad’s selection of the lands of the world that God had not promised, He reveals that believers should not covet the things of the world over Him. Finally, from the half tribe of Manasseh, which chose to join Reuben and Gad in living outside the Promised Land, He reveals that a double minded lifestyle can cause believers to stumble.

1. Don’t Delay in Seizing Your Spiritual Inheritance. Josh. 13:1.

Joshua shares God’s command to finish the conquest of the Promised Land1

2. Don’t Make Accommodations with the Flesh While Pursing God’s Gifts. Josh. 13:2-7.

The lands left for the Jews to conquer2

(1) The Philistines. The Philistines included: “the five lords of the Philistines: the Gazite, the Ashdodite, the Ashkelonite, the Gittite, the Ekronite; and the Avvite.” (Josh. 13:3). The first three cities were along the coast, and the last two were in the foothills (Woudstra p. 211). The failure of the Jews to destroy the Philistines would later lead to many wars between them. At one point, the Philistines even captured the ark: “Now the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod.” (1 Sam. 5:1).

(2) The Geshurites. The Jews also needed to take the land of the Geshurities. They lived in Southern Israel (Woudstra p. 210). Yet, because the Jews did not fulfill God’s command, the Geshurites would also become a powerful nation that would threaten Israel: “Now David and his men went up and raided the Geshurites and the Girzites and the Amalekites; for they were the inhabitants of the land from ancient times, as you come to Shur even as far as the land of Egypt.” (1 Sam. 27:8).

(3) The Sidonians. The Jews also needed to take “all the land of the Canaanite, and Mearah that belongs to the Sidonians, as far as Aphek, to the border of the Amorite.” (Josh. 13:4). This land described an area held by the Phoenicians extending approximately 23 miles north of Beirut (Woudstra p. 211). The failure of the Jews to take these cities belonging to the Sidonians would also cause problems for the Jews. The city of “Aphek” would later become a sanctuary for enemy troops fighting against Israel: “Thus the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out to meet the Philistines in battle and camped beside Ebenezer while the Philistines camped in Aphek.” (1 Sam. 4:1).

(4) The Gebalites. The Jews also needed to clear out the Gebalites (Josh. 13:5). They lived in the ancient city of Gebal or Byblos on the Phoenician coast north of Sidon (Woudstra p. 212). Because they were left alone, they also grew in size and challenged the Jews.

(5) Lebanon. The Jews also needed to take “all the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon as far as Misrephoth-maim, all the Sidonians.” (Josh. 13:5). This territory was part of what God promised would be the northern border of Israel (Nu. 34:8-9). This included modern day Lebanon and parts of southern Syria. These areas would also one day threat the Jews. They also grew in size and challenged King Solomon (1 Ki. 11:23-25). Today these areas are still filled with Israel’s enemies, including Hezbollah.

3. If You Choose the World Over God, You May Forgo Some Blessings. Josh. 13:8-13.

4. Live in the World but Not of the Word. Josh. 13:14.

Choose your spiritual inheritance in Jesus over worldly desires3

5. Don’t be Double Minded Between the Flesh and the Spirit. Josh. 13:15-23.

6. Don’t Covet the Things of the World Over God. Josh. 13:24-28.

7. A Double Minded Life Can Cause Hurt to Other Believers. Josh. 13:29-33.